Liant is a provider of software tools for developing business information systems and solutions to help transform existing business applications and processes into modern and robust distributed application software systems.
Liant’s technology is highly complementary to Micro Focus’ business and the acquisition provides the opportunity for Micro Focus to expand its portfolio of enterprise application management solutions, especially to include additional programming language capabilities, such as PL/I.
In the year to December 2007, Liant generated a loss before tax of $0.4 million and its gross assets as at December 31, 2007 were $2.0 million. Following the acquisition, Micro Focus plans to restructure the business and aims to increase margins over time to a level consistent with Micro Focus’ existing business. The consequent restructuring charge is expected to be approximately $2.0 million in the financial year to April 30, 2009.
Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Micro Focus International, said: The acquisition of Liant is consistent with Micro Focus’ strategy of expanding our core areas of expertise. As a result of this corporate development, Micro Focus is even better equipped to offer customers a broad range of choices as they modernize their core IT systems to meet their business objectives.
